Spring notes – seventh edition

They won’t beat him

Journalist and raconteur, the late Peter “Skinny” Bye, who went by the moniker of the  “biggest man of trotting”, had the unnerving habit of giving the answer and leaving the rest of us at The Sporting Globe to ponder the question.

“They won’t take six,” he declared one morning, thumping the desk as he strode by – we were left to scratching out heads; who won’t take six, and what was the six?

It took a week to find the question – “the who” was the men of the loading dock at the Herald & Weekly Times, and “the what” was the bundles of newspapers. It seems that the workers were threatening a strike if they had to lift more than five stacks of newspapers.

Here’s my Peter Bye impersonation from yesterday’s Flemington meeting: “They won’t beat him.” Thump.

I suspect that’s not too confusing an answer without question to anyone who saw December Draw win the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m), nudging out Glass Harmonium in a thrilling finish.

I don’t see how December Draw can be beaten in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m, Caulfield) in two weeks. Others seem to have a fear about him running 2400 metres, but that’s the least of my concerns, he’ll run it on his ear.

It’s the first time I have had a chance to have a good look at December Draw, and I was surprised – there’s nothing of him. In defiance of speed-oriented pedigree (b g 2006, Medecis (GB)-New York (IRE), by Danzero), he’s built like a stayer – narrow and lean – just as an Ethiopian distance runner is shaped compared to the powerhouse sprinter Usain Bolt.

December Draw produced a terrific performance to win the Turnbull. He worked from the gate, and then took cover while Glass Harmonium bowled along at a good tempo. Jockey Michael Rodd said he made his run in the straight too early, and then corrected himself, which cost December Draw momentum. In the end it was courage and class that saw the imported gelding get up on the line.

“That run will top him off nicely, bring him to his peak,” trainer Mark Kavanagh said – Kavanagh also admonished Rodd for his impatience.

December Draw goes into the Caulfield Cup at his fifth run, winning three consecutive times over 2000 metres, building from a handicap to Group 3 (Naturalism Stakes) to Group 1. It’s a brilliant progression through the classes, and he drops nicely to 52kg (expected to rise 2kg at acceptance time) under the handicap conditions of the Caulfield Cup. If he’s not ready to run a strong 2400 metres, no horse will be.

December Draw reminds me in style and ability of a very good horse, Suleiman, who emerged in the spring to start a short-priced favourite (6/4) in the Caulfield Cup in 1979, only to finish third to Mighty Kingdom after a luckless run ­– only bad luck will beat December Draw.

Glass Harmonium’s prancing pre-race antics are a joy to watch, but they worry me when it comes to him settling well enough to win a Caulfield Cup. However, trainer Mike Moroney might consider that a tough run in the Caulfield Cup could be just what is needed to take the edge of the big grey for a Cox Plate (2040m, Moonee Valley) assignment seven days later. That’s the way I’d be going.

The solid performances of Playing God (third) and Southern Speed (fourth) franked Lion Tamer’s winning form from the Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield. Both are heading to the Caulfield Cup with some claims of being in the money. Lion Tamer looks poised to win Saturday’s Group 1 Yalumba Stakes (2000m, Caulfield) as his final lead-up to the Cox Plate.

Rekindled Interest (fifth) looked a bit wintery in the coat in the parade and he raced as though he needed the run, looming wide out at the 200 metres, only to peak on his run. On face value, it was a good effort to get close to the first two, coming from near last at the 500m. Trainer Jim Conlan has three weeks to prime the gelding for the Cox Plate. I expect him to be a more formidable opponent on his favourite surface at Moonee Valley, but I worry that these conservative riding tactics will see him unable to get close to horses like Lion Tamer and Jimmy Choux, who will race close to the speed.

Absolutely (sixth) ran a nice Caulfield Cup trial. Trainer Mick Kent said Caulfield is the AJC Oaks winner’s mission as he doubts she is seasoned enough to progress to a Melbourne Cup this spring.

It was good to see Shamrocker (seventh) run back into form after a shocker in the Underwood. She looked under pressure at the 400m, but she got going late between horses. The mare presented a picture in the parade.

Precedence (10^th) ran well enough for a handicapper. He’s ready for the Bart Cummings polish, while Linton (12^th) raced as though he has issues by pulling and hanging.

The final word goes to the grand old grey, Efficient, who got home late between horses for eighth in his first run for two years. Oh, if only Lloyd Williams and his team can keep him sound. Maybe the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m, Sandown) is his race.

Photo: Mark Kavanagh, trainer of December Draw. Picture Lachlan Cunningam, Slattery Media Group